Thursday, December 31, 2009

Several thousand disgruntled state government employees staged a demonstration in Dispur yesterday in protest against alleged discrepancies in the Sixth Assam Pay Commission recommendations adopted by the government.

The employees, under the banner of the State Employees Joint Action Committee, Assam, submitted a memorandum to chief minister Tarun Gogoi, seeking redressal of their grievances pertaining to the recommendations of the pay panel.

The employees, from across the state, gathered at Dispur Last Gate this morning and staged a sit-in from 11.30am to 2pm.

They shouted anti-government slogans demanding fulfilment of their demands.

The general secretary of the committee, Prabhat Chandra Medhi, accused the state government of taking a U-turn on its assurance of new payscales for the state employees on a par with central government employees.

“The chief minister has promised on the floor of the Assembly not once but twice in 2007 and again on June 29 this year. We are surprised as well as miffed at his failure to keep his promise made to the employees,” Medhi said.

On earlier occasions, the state government had maintained that it would not be a problem to pay central payscales to state government employees as the financial position of the state had drastically improved during the tenure of the Congress government, he said.

“Much to our surprise, the chief minister has now changed tack by saying that it will not be possible with the limited resources at the disposal of the government,” he rued.

The employees demand that the revised pay structure be made effective from January 1, 2006 instead of April 1, 2009 as decided by the state cabinet.

“One of our demands is a flat three per cent increment instead of the government’s decision to provide two per cent automatic increment and another one per cent depending on performance,” Medhi said.

“There would be discrepancy if there is an increment based on performance and we want a flat three per cent increment for all employees,” he said.

The committee also wants medical allowance to be increased from Rs 350 to Rs 1,500 considering the manifold increase in cost of medicines and healthcare facilities, an increase in the tenure of services of Grade IV employees by two more years and reintroduction of city allowance for the employees.

“On the basis of the pay panel recommendations, the state government has abolished the city allowance, which is unacceptable to us,” Medhi said.

The joint action committee threatened to intensify its agitation if the government fails to fulfil their demands.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

The Sadau Asom Karmachari Parishad (SAKP) has decided to launch a movement in protest against the failure of the State Government to remove the discrepancies in the Sixth Assam Pay commission recommendations. The SAKP, in a release said that a meeting of the steering committee of the Parishad, held here today, decided to stage demonstration in all the district and sub-divisional headquarters of the state from 12 noon to 3 pm on January 6. The members of the SAKP will also stage demonstration at Dispur on January 11.Source : The Assam Tribune.

Jammu and Kashmir : 4.5 lakh employees go for strike today

At least 4.5 lakh employees in the government and semi-government offices will go on a complete lock-out strike today to press for the immediate release of their pending benefits under the 6th Pay Commission recommendations.

Talking to Rising Kashmir, chief spokesperson EJAC (Q) and a senior JCC member, Farooq A Trali said there will be a state wide lock-out strike in the government offices, but added that there will be no protests.

“The lock-out strike is aimed to remind the state government to release the pending benefits under the 6th Pay Commission,” said Trali, adding, “A crucial meeting of all the JCC leaders will be held in Jammu on January 5 to chalk-out the future strategy. The strike programme of JCC will also be announced after the meeting on that day and shall be launched before January 15.”

JCC had earlier given a week’s time to the government to fulfill the demands after the employees staged sit-in protests on December 23.

“JCC has formed special squads to monitor the lock-out programme in all the districts. But we won’t be going for any protest today till further programme is announced,” Trali said.

The Employee’s Union is demanding that the retirement age of government employees be raised from 58 years to 60 years at par with central government officials. In addition it also wants regularizing of services of daily wagers and adhoc workers, merging of Cost of Living Allowance into the Dearness Allowance, uniform Housing Rent Allowance as that of central government employees, release of 40 per cent arrears and extending the 6th pay panel benefits to local bodies, municipal corporations and public sector undertakings.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Government today approved revised pay scales for faculty of autonomous medical institutions like the AIIMS and PGIMER, Chandigarh, bringing them at par with their counterparts in IITs and IIMs.

The faculty at these institutes had refused to accept the revised emoluments as per the sixth pay commission recommendations, demanding a pay hike at par with those in the IIMs and IITs.

The decision to give term parity to the faculty of autonomous medical colleges with their counterparts in IITs and IIMs was approved by the Union Cabinet at its meeting held today, Health Ministry sources said.

While the revised pay would be applicable from January 2006, allowances would be given with effect from August 2008.

Faculties of two more institutes Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, and Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, will also get Sixth Pay Commission benefits as per the UGC scale.

Faculty of these institutes had refused to accept the revised emoluments as per Sixth Pay Commission recommendations demanding a pay hike at par with those in the IIMs and IITs.

Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had carried out a study of the problems of the faculty members before making a note to the Union Cabinet.

Responding to the proposal submitted by Four Officers’ Organizations on 10th December 2009, IBA provided a salary chart constructed on 2836 Index point merger with average 20% loading along with notes on outsourcing and pension specifying that 13% of the Basic pay of SBI officers to be kept separately undistributed which SBI will decide how to deal with the same.

In response, the association impressed upon IBA the need to have higher start of pay for officers considering the large scale dissatisfaction caused in the last wage revision, tax on perquisites etc. It was also stated that appropriation from the Industry level wage load to SBI on pension costing, leave encashment on retirement loaded exclusively, construction of pay scales with 11% loading with merger start at Scale I are unacceptable to the Organizations. With regard to outsourcing, it was stated that the associations shall revert to them after discussions amongst themselves.

While taking note of the view points, the IBA representatives assured to revisit the areas of concern and respond to the officers' organizations.

he Bihar government Tuesday announced a bonanza for its 500,000 employees by deciding to adopt the pay-scales recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission. The decision was taken at meeting of the state cabinet, presided over by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, at the famous tourist spot Rajgir, about 100 km from here, officials said.

“The state cabinet approved giving the Sixth Pay Commission pay-scale to government employees,” they said.

The arrears will be paid effective from Jan 1, 2006.

The meeting also approved a Rs.77.67 crore drainage scheme for Rajgir.

It was for the first time that the state cabinet held its meeting at Rajgir.

“The state cabinet meeting was held at the convention centre of the Shanti Stupa atop Gidhakuta Hills in Rajgir amid tight security,” an official in the chief minister’s office said here.

Rajgir is the home district of Nitish Kumar. In the last four years, he has announced various development projects in the district.

As scheduled a meeting was held with the workmen unions to negotiate the wage revision. A lot of things were discussed but nothing has been finalized as the IBA Core Commitee headed by Mr Jagdish Pai, E.D., Canara Bank wanted to discuss the matter with the higher authorities before reacting to the unions.

Here is the full text of the meeting as available in the AIBEA website.

"Further to the discussions held between the IBA and the Unions on 9 & 10th December, 2009 another round of bipartite discussions took place today at Mumbai between IBA and AIBEA / NCBE / BEFI / INBEF / NOBW. IBA was represented by their Core Committee headed by Mr. Jagdish Pai (ED, Canara Bank). All the 5 workmen unions were represented in the talks.

In today’s meeting, discussions continued on construction of pay scale, revision of special pay, allocation of cost of various items, cost of retirement benefits etc. From the unions’ side, we have emphasized that maximum possible cost to be allocated for construction of revised basic pay. Various suggestions and proposals were discussed in the meeting. However, the discussions have remained inconclusive since on some of the issues, the IBA team wanted to discuss the matter with the higher authorities before reacting to the unions.

It was decided to continue the discussions on the next round of talks for which dates will be fixed up shortly."

The All Tripura Federation of University and College Teachers Organisation (ATFUCTO) has threatened an indefinite strike from January 16 to press for implementation of the pay package announced by the UGC. General Secretary of ATFUCTO Nityananda Das today said while college teachers in other states were drawing their salaries in accordance with the pay package effective from January 2006, the teachers of Tripura were still getting salaries as per the scales revised in 1996. “The teachers of Tripura Central University and National Institute of India, Agartala, are also receiving their salaries according to the UGC pay package of 2006, but not the college teachers here,” Das told reporters. He said as part of the stir, college teachers of the state would observe a one-day strike tomorrow [29th].

Source : Morning Express.

Loksabha Pay Hike Controversy.

Speaker Meira Kumar's action of hiking pay of Lok Sabha staff facing anomalies in their salary has triggered a controversy with objections being raised by the Finance Ministry.

However, the Lok Sabha Secretariat Monday claimed the Speaker was well within her rights of doing so.

The Speaker has granted two increments to the staff with Lok Sabha Secretary General PDT Achary saying, "this has been done to remove certain anomalies that arose following implementation of the cadre review for Lok Sabha staff done two years ago".

He insisted that the Speaker has the autonomy to decide on these issues as per certain provisions of the Constitution and the rules made thereunder.

"The Lok Sabha budget is finalised by the Secretariat and approved by the Speaker," he said adding "what has been done is to remove the anomalies. The Speaker need not consult the Finance Ministry or the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry. This is within our budget. She has absolute authority".

Achary's comments came in the wake of reports that the Finance Ministry has objected to the move.

Ministry sources said Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee merely pointed out to the Lok Sabha Secretariat that any change in salaries has to go through a process under the Ministry of Finance.

"It is neither the prerogative of Parliament nor the Finance Minister himself to take any decision on it", they said.

Lok Sabha sources, however, expressed ignorance about the Finance Ministry raising any objection. "We have not heard anything", they said.

Achary said that when the pay was fixed, the Secretariat came to know about certain anomalies and it was suggested that two more increments should be given to those who did not get the benefit of the cadre revision.

"The proposal was mooted earlier. We looked at it very seriously," Achary said but did not specify how many of the 2,600 employees of the Lok Sabha would benefit by the move.

Besides, he said that the move was limited only to Lok Sabha and not the Rajya Sabha as the Lower House only had undertaken a cadre review in 2007. He also dismissed suggestions that the move was in anyway related to Sixth Pay Commission recommendations.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar has run into trouble with the government for unilaterally granting four increments in one go to all Lok Sabha Secretariat employees. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has now put it on record that he does not support the move, which ought to have been first discussed with his ministry.

In what is turning into a controversial and complicated issue, the increments have been given over and above the sixth pay commission hikes. Disbursal has already started and arrears too have been paid. It is learnt that this will cost over Rs 100 crore, and was done without concurrence of the Finance Ministry.

By an order on September 22, issued through the Lok Sabha Secretary General, the Speaker authorised grant of “two advance increments each” with effect from April 1 and April 2, 2007 to “all employees in the revised structure of pay, as a one time measure”. The justification given was that this would remove “pay anomalies” and the expenditure would be borne from the Lok Sabha budget.

Matters, however, came to a head when Rajya Sabha Secretariat employees demanded the same from Vice-President Hamid Ansari who raised the issue with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Bansal as any such financial decision has to be cleared by a joint committee which has representation from both Houses and the Finance Ministry.

The Lok Sabha has some 2,900 employees while the Rajya Sabha has 1,300.

Bansal then took up the matter with Mukherjee who responded on November 17: “There appears to be no justification in granting advance increments in the case of those employees who are already in receipt of a substantial amount as ‘special pay’ for performing their duties. On the recommendations of the sixth CPC (central pay commission), the government has granted Military Service Pay to Defence Forces’ officers and PBORs. However, they have not been granted any advance increments. Hence, the grant of advance increments to the employees of Lok Sabha Secretariat is likely to generate a demand from various other sections of employees of central government and courts etc, to grant them similar benefit.”

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Expressing dissatisfaction over the recommendations of the State Pay Commission, the Coordination Committee of Assam Class-I Service Association has urged Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to ‘ensure justice and a fair deal’ for the officers by awarding a ‘respectable pay structure and allowances’. In a memorandum to the Chief Minister, thecommittee said that the Pay Commission recommendations fell way beyond securing pay parity with the Central Government employees – something promised by the State Government. Pointing out that the pay disparity which starts when a new entrant joins State Government service in the rank of a Class-I officer would worsen when he/she in completes 14 years of continuous service.

“The discrepancy in pay structure has disheartened all sections of Class-I officers, which could be detrimental to the development of the State,” it said.

Again, the committee said, the grade pay band of (4) in the Sixth Assam Pay Commission ranges from Rs 5,400 to a maximum of Rs 7,400 whereas in the Central Government the same is from Rs 5,400 to Rs 7,600 to start with, and Rs 8,700 after 14 years of service.

The committee was also critical of the annual increment of one per cent of the total pay in the pay band, saying that the increment and the corresponding grade pay is too insufficient and that the Commission’s recommendation for introducing new schemes of ‘increment based on performance’ is likely to cause dissatisfaction among the employees as “there is likelihood of assessing one’s performance by the assessing officer on the latter’s personal likes or otherwise.”

The committee called for awarding yearly increment at the rate of three per cent as is the case with Central Government employees. It further urged the Chief Minister to implement the allowances such as medical, city compensatory, daily, rural and difficult area, hill, traveling, conveyance, house rent, leave travel concession, etc., at par with Central Government employees.

The Assam Civil Service Officers’ Association has also expressed its “deep anguish, disappointment and dissatisfaction” over the pay panel recommendations as well as the report of the Committee constituted to examine the report of the pay panel.

In a statement, the association said that in spite of numerous representations, memorandums and submissions made to the commission and the committee, the pay scales and allowances granted to the Assam Civil Service are not commensurate with the “nature of service and the premier status of the ACS.”

The association also expressed concern over what it said were sweeping remarks in respect of ACS cadres made by the commission which at the same time failed to give adequate consideration to the submissions of theassociation.

The association decided to observe a one-hour pen-down strike from 12 pm to 1 pm on January 5.

Friday, December 25, 2009

As a new year gift to over 11,300 lecturers and professors of first-grade colleges in the state, the government on Thursday implemented the revised pay scale for them as per the University Grants Commission (UGC) recommendations.With this, the salaries of lecturers and professors working in government first grade colleges, aided first grade colleges and constituent colleges of universities will see a substantial hike.As per the revised scale, the starting salary of a lecturer will be Rs 31,300 per month and that of a professor will be Rs 63,500, including all perks.Not just that, they will also get differential pay for 51 months as arrears as the revised pay scale will come into force with retrospective effect from January 1, 2006.However, the revised pay scale for the part-time lecturers whose services were regularised through special guidelines by the government will be applicable from the date on which they had acquired eligibility to be lecturer as per UGC guidelines.The burden on the state exchequer due to the implementation of the pay scale is estimated to be around Rs 200 crore. The Centre will bear 80 per cent of the expenses due to payment of the arrears and the hiked component of the salary till the end of this financial year.Announcing this at a press conference on Thursday, Higher Education Minister Aravind Limbavali called upon the teaching community to perform to their best abilities as the government had given everything they (lecturers) wanted. “My only plea to the teaching community is to perform their duties effectively,” he said.To a question, he replied that the government would release arrears as soon as the Centre released 50 per cent of its share towards the arrears. He added that all arrears would be paid in cash.Meanwhile, the government has increased the retirement age of the teaching staff in universities from 60 to 62 years, with effect from September 25, 2009.Though it has shown magnanimity in revising salaries, the government has put some riders too for the selection of teaching staff in first grade colleges.From July 7, 2009, MPhil degree will not be considered as a criterion for recruitment of lecturers. The lecturers appointed before this date will be promoted as professors only after they complete PhD, he said.The government has also changed the nomenclature of the teaching staff of colleges. As per the new nomenclature, the lecturers will now be called assistant professors.With the revised pay scale, an associate professor in Bangalore will get a total pay of Rs31,300 each month, while a professor will take home Rs63,500. The house rent and city compensation allowances are also increased to make it on par with the UGC scale. The college teachers are also eligible for pension, leave travel concession and medical allowance like any other government employee, Limbavali said.An order is also issued to increase the age limit for retirement from 60 to 62 years applicable to the university teaching staff with effect from September 25, 2009. The Higher Education Department has classified the teaching staff into three new categories: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Recently concluded talks with IBA on 27.11.2009 opens a new era for the life of lacs of bank employees who did not opt for pension due to confusion created by certain union leaders and high interest rate regime prevailing at the time of offer for pension option in 1995/1996.

Certain section of bank staff is under the impression that pension option has been signed at the cost of staff that had already opted for pension. Their contention is that pension option should have not opened when management had earlier offered the same. Those employees who did not opt for pension should suffer for their folly. Further their contention was that instead of pension option union leaders should have fought for better wages in line with Central/State Government employees.

In this context it is clarified that bank employees get their salary out of profits of banks while Central/State Government employees’ get their salaries from consolidated funds of India. Bargaining power of bank employees has eroded over the years due to computerization, advent of private sector banks and partly due to our self interests. This factor has to b kept in mind while appreciating/criticizing the recently concluded MOU.

For unions it was a fight for survival as interest of about 3 lac employees was involved for another option of pension. Union leaders could not have lost sight of the fact that about 3 lac employees and their families were looking at them for breakthrough in getting pension option. Ministry of finance was also with the demand for granting another option.

If one read the MOU signed on 27.11.2009, it is clear that financial burden of another option will be shared by beneficiaries and not by bank employees who had already opted for pension. They are not to wary with addition load.

There are 4 types of bank employees.

*Existing bank employees who are in service and opted for pension.

*Existing bank employees who are in service of the bank and not opted for pension

Bank employees who had retired and getting pension

Bank employees who had retired without pension and got their PF( own and bank contribution)

* Existing employees have been defined as bank employees who will be in the service of the bank on the day of signing of Joint note/final agreement. (Joint note/final agreement has to be signed on or before 27.11.2010 as per MOU). Thus bank employees who will retire in Jan 2010 will also be called as retired employees.

The MOU does not cover bank employees who had retired and getting pension (No. 3 above). Their demand of merger of DA is not covered in the MOU. This issue may be taken up in next agreement due in 2012 as at that time each employee will be pension optee and bargaining power will be much more. Members may know that Parliamentary committee has agreed for merger of DA of bank pensioners. Time will definitely come when DA of pensioners will be merged.

Now the remaining cases.

Existing employees who have opted for pension will share 3% of basic pay and 3% will be shared by banks to bridge the existing gap of pension fund. They have nothing to do with pension option and recovery of any additional amount from them.

Existing employees who are in service of the bank and not opted for pension will be given another pension option. Number of such employees is about 272000.As per MOU, total financial burden is estimates as Rs. 17190.00 crore out of which Rs. 11532.00 crore is the bank contribution to be refunded by employees who will opt for pension. The gap Rs. 5658.00 crore and Rs. 343.80 as loss on account of incomplete data will be shared by banks and staff who opt for pension in the ratio of 70 and 30. Staff contribution will be Rs. 1800.54 crore. If we divide Rs. 1800.54 crore by 272000, individual employee’s contribution will be Rs. 66196. The unions and management has to divide this amount equitably and the issue will be addressed when final agreement is signed.

There are about 60000 bank employees who did not opt for pension and got their PF. All bank employees who had retired after last option (1996) will be given another pension option. Total financial burden on this score is estimated as Rs. 4774.29 crore out of which Rs. 1657.79 crore bank contributions will have to be refunded by retirees who opt for pension. Remaining amount of Rs. 3116.50 crore will be shared by banks and new pension optees in the ratio of 70 and 30. Retirees have to share Rs. 934.95 crore. If we divide this amount by 60000, per employee burden comes to Rs. 155825. IBA and unions have to adopt methodology in such a way that amount is shared by each retiree in equitable manner. Tough there is no mention of recovery of interest on bank contribution, yet in my opinion bank contribution may be recovered with interest for the sake of equitable recovery.

During talks held on 9th Dec 2009, it has been clarified that pension option will be given to all the staff members who had retired on account of superannuation, VRS, special VRS. Cases of dismissal, resignation, compulsory retirement way of punishment will not be covered.

Recoveries from bank employees on account of pension option will be made from arrears payable.

There is no mention in MOU about commutation of pension but since pension option will be given under the provisions of existing pension regulations1995, retirees need not to wary about commutation as it will be given if desired.

[The article published above is written by Mr R.P. Agarwal, an ex Bank staff. Sincere gratitude to Mr Agarwal.]

Accusing government of indulging into “documental-betrayal”, at least 4.5 lakh employees suspended work on Wednesday paralyzing normal work in government offices across the State.The employees observed strike in response to sit-in protest called by Joint Consultation Committee (JCC) which is spearheading the demand of releasing the remaining “promised benefits” under 6th pay commission before the year ender.The JCC members held protest demonstrations both in Srinagar and Jammu to press for the implementation of the pending sixth pay commission recommendations already accepted by the government in principle. “Today’s strike was a success and the employees went on a two-hour sit-in protest in their respective offices. It was a part of the strike programme to remind government of its promises,” chief spokesperson EJAC (Q) and a senior JCC member Farooq A Trali said.Trali said the government staff banded under JCC is all set to launch an agitation “if the pay panel recommendations were not fulfilled before the New Year begins.”He said, “Employees are ready to counter any time buying techniques of the government. If the government continues the non-seriousness there will be a complete lock-out on Dec 30 and further strategy will be announced on that day as well,” said Trali, adding that the month of January 2010 will prove “very hectic” for the government.“If our accepted demands were not fulfilled in the coming days, the month of January 2010 will be hectic for the government. We can go to any extent after December,” he threatened.The JCC members also presented a memorandum to the Additional Commissioner Kashmir and DC Srinagar.“We met MoS for Tourism Nasir Sogami, who also heads winter secretariat and apprised him of our genuine demands. He assured us that he will take the issue with chief minister,” the JCC spokesperson said.The employees’ union is demanding raise in the retirement age of state government employees from 58 to 60 years, on par with central government officials. In addition, it also wants regularizing of services of daily wage and ad hoc workers, merging of Cost of Living Allowance into the Dearness Allowance, uniform Housing Rent Allowance as that of central government employees, release of 40 per cent arrears and extending the sixth pay panel benefits to Local Bodies, Municipal Corporations and Public Sector Undertakings.“We had an agreement with the government on August 18 and the benefits were promised till October 31. But till date there is no response from the government while the price rise has created chaos everywhere.” said Trali.

Monday, December 21, 2009

The General Insurers (Public Sector) Association of India (GIPSA) has called for a new round of talks Tuesday with the unions of four government-owned non-life insurance companies after a 15 percent offer of hike in wages was rejected.

The last round of talks, held in July this year, had collapsed as the union had demanded a 40 percent wage hike to have parity with the private sector.

“Wage revision in the public sector general insurance companies fell due in August 2007. However, the talks have been going on at a snail’s pace even as the companies have been logging impressive growth rates,” All India Insurance Employees Association (AIIEA) secretary J. Gurumurthy told IANS.

He said the four public sector firms — National Insurance, New India Assurance, Oriental Insurance and United India employing around 100,000 people — together logged a growth of 11 percent and procured a premium of Rs.13,128 crore during the first eight months of the current fiscal at a time when many private insurers registered negative growth.

“We hope the management comes out with acceptable offers during the Dec 22 (Tuesday) talks in Kolkata that would meet the genuine aspirations of the employees,” he said.

“GIPSA may offer 17.5 percent increase in line with what was offered in the banking sector which we will reject.”

Demanding the merger of four firms into one corporation, Gurumurthy said: “Unlike in the banking sector, employees are in favour of merger here. More than the banks, size is of major importance in insurance sector which in turn would enable investments in infrastructure.”

According to him, wage talks in Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) broke down as employees were dissatisfied with the management offer of 17.5 percent.

It is reported that the IBA has constituted a Small Committee of 5 members,(including 2 from the Confederation and one each from the other Officers Organizations) which will go into the nitty gritty of all the details connected with the construction of scales, apportionment of the cost on various headings including the superannuation benefits etc., so that it can meet as frequently as required and keep the working ready for the Negotiating Team for finalisation of the settlement.

It is further reported that next round of discussions with IBA is likely to be held in the first week of January 2010 on a date mutually convenient to all concerned. The Small Committee will meet shortly and workout the modalities for the purpose of finalizing their proposals for the consideration of the Negotiating Team.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

The Madhya Pradesh government has approved sixth pay commission scale for the vice-chancellors, registrars, teachers, librarians and sports officers in the universities of the state.

The universities receiving block grant from the state government would be eligible get the revised pay scales with retrospective effect from January 1, 2006, an official release here said.

State Higher Education Minister Laxmikant Sharma stated that payment of arrears accruing due to revised pay scales would be given from the salary of September 2008 which would be payable in October 2008. Separate orders are being issued in connection with arrears from January 1, 2006 to August 31, 2008.

As per directives of the Union government and University Grants Commission, orders had already been issued to provide sixth pay commission scale to college teachers. The Madhya Pradesh government had appealed to the Union Government to make available 80 percent of the expenditure on the scheme, while the rest 20 percent would be shared by the state government.

The Assam government today accepted the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission and its employees are scheduled to get enhanced salaries from this month.

The Cabinet at a special meeting here, presided by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, accepted the recommendations of the Pay Commission without much changes this evening, state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bharat Narah told reporters.

The employees would get salaries with retrospective effect from April one and the arrears would be given in instalments, he added.

The Sixth Pay Commission headed by retired bureaucrat Bhaskar Barua had submitted its report in November last and it was placed in the just-concluded session of the state legislative assembly.

The state government will have to bear a burden of more than Rs 3,000 crore in implementing the new pay scales.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Update as on 15.01.2010 :Good News at Last.According to sources, today, the pay revision file is cleared by MHRD and sent to AICTE for notification. Now all revised AICTE scales are at per with UGC.

Update as on 5th Jan,2010. : On the representation of AIFPTO for enhancement of AGP Ministry of HRD has instructed AICTE to resubmitt the Pay Revision Report at the earliest.

It is learnt that AICTE has submitted the report to MHRD for its concurrence. The news is yet to be confirmed. We suggest our viewers not to take this as authentic, but in the process of updating our readers regularly we are publishing this story without getting it confirmed despite of our best efforts.

As per news available with us the Academic Grade Pay for Poly teachers will be lesser than their UGC counterparts.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Peeved over what is being seen as a disparity in the wage structure of the banking industry vis-a-vis government employees, State Bank of India (SBI) Officers’ Association (Bengal circle) wants SBI to have a separate wage structure on the lines of the Reserve Bank of India.

Stating this, Sakti Kumar Haldar, General Secretary, SBIOA (Bengal circle), said here at a press conference that the entry-level monthly salary for a clerk in the banking industry was Rs. 7,712 as compared to Rs. 12,793 for a government clerk. The gap was wider at the executive level, he said.

In addition, three lakh employees of SBI now felt deprived on account of the latest 17.5 per cent salary revision in the banking industry which Mr. Haldar said was discriminatory against SBI employees.

He explained that this was so on account of the denial of the benefit of additional cost being paid to other banks for payment of pension as a second option.

Mr. Haldar said that due to a prevalent ceiling on gratuity payments, the employees retired with a leaner purse as compared to other bank employees.

On the stand of the All India State Bank Officers Federation on these issues, he said the AISBOF along with the Staff Federation had already held initial discussions with the SBI management to resolve the issues.

Orissa Govt. has notified the revised UGC pay for higher education teachers in the state. In a notification released on 14th Dec,2009, the Govt has extended the benefit to college and university teachers with effect from 01.01.2006.

Giving ultimatum to the Jammu and Kashmir Government to provide the remaining benefits under the Sixth Pay Commission before the year-end as promised, at least 4.5 lakh employees across the State would go on strike on December 23.

The employees, under the banner of Employees' Joint Action Committee (EJAC), will also hold protest demonstrations to press for the implementation of the pending Pay panel recommendations, already accepted by the Government in principle.President EJAC, Abdul Qayoom Wani, said the employees will go on a State-wide day-long strike on December 23. "The employees are ready to teach the Government a lesson for playing tricks and wasting time unnecessarily. If the Government continues its non-seriousness, there will be a complete lockout on Dec 30,” said Wani, threatening that the month of January 2010 will be very hectic for the Government," he said.“If our demands are not fulfilled in the coming days, the month of January 2010 will be painstaking and harmful for the Government. We can go to any extent after December to stop Government backtrack from the already accepted 6th Pay panel benefits,” threatened Wani.The employee’s union is demanding that the retirement age of State Government employees be raised from 58-60 years, at par with Central Government officials. In addition, it also wants regularizing of services of dailywage and adhoc workers, merging of Cost of Living Allowance into the Dearness Allowance, uniform Housing Rent Allowance as that of Central Government employees, release of 40 per cent arrears and extending the 6th Pay panel benefits to Local Bodies, Municipal Corporations and Public Sector Undertakings.“Government is absolutely non-serious. We had an agreement with the Government on July 18 and the benefits were promised till October 31 this year. But till date, there is no response from the Government while the price rise has created havoc everywhere,” said Wani, adding no discrimination will be tolerated and protest demos will be held in Jammu, Srinagar and Ladakh as well.According to the EJAC spokesperson, an important meeting will be held on Dec 19 at 1 pm at Municipal Office.The Financial Commissioner was not available for comments.

Monday, December 14, 2009

The first meeting of the National Anomaly Committee was held on 12th December, 2009. Secretary (Personnel) chaired the meeting.On behalf of the Confederation, Com. S.K. Vyas, President and Com. K.K.N. Kutty Secretary General attended and participated in the discussion.In the opening remark, Com. Umraomal Purohit drew the attention of the Chairman of the non-functioning of the Departmental Councils in various departments and the consequent non setting up of Departmental Anomaly Committees.He also raised the issue of the order of the DOPT defining the term Anomaly, which was at variance with the one given in 1997.He recalled the discussion he had with the official side in the matter when it was agreed that the definition of the term would be the same as was in the order of 1997.Responding to the remarks made by the Staff Side Secretary, the Chairman said that his office would take steps to ensure the functioning of the JCM at all levels and informed the meeting that the National Council of the JCM would meet on 16th January, 2009 and the notice therefore has already been issued.On the question of anomaly, it was informed by the Chairman, that all efforts would be taken to address all questions of anomaly and resolve them.The official side clarified that all questions of disparity in relativities would also be addressed except on those on which the 6th CPC has gone into and taken decision enumerating reasons.The Chairman asked the staff Side to bring to the notice of the DOPT/DOE of all those items which stand rejected by the concerned Departmental Anomaly Committees taking shelter under the extant definition.

We now reproduce the items which were discussed and the decisions arrived on each of them.

The item Nos. 1 to 4 and 5(iii)(iv) and 7 were grouped together and discussed as they were identical in content.For the sake of convenience, we reproduce item No. 3 which covers all the above mentioned items.

Fixation of Pay in Revised Pay Scale

The VI CPC in para 2.2.19 (vii) has indicated that where prerevised pay scales have been merged it has been done by extending the existing minimum prescribed for the highest pay scale with which the other scales are being merged. Accordingly it has also been stipulated in 7(1) (A) of the CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 that if the minimum of the Revised Pay Band / Pay Scale is more that what is determined by multiplying the existing basic pay as on 1.1.2006 by a factor of 1.86 and rounding of the resultant figure to the next multiple of 10, the pay shall be fixed at the minimum of the revised Pay Band / Pay Scale. Note 2B below Rule 7, ibid and illustration 4B given in the Explanatory Memorandum to the Revised Pay Rule apply to cases of merger of Pay Scales.Note 2 B states that pay in the revised Pay Bands will be fixed in the manner prescribed in accordance with Clause (A) (i) And clause (A) (ii) of Rule 7. In illustration 4B a case of an employee in the pre revised pay scale Rs.5000-8000 drawing Rs.5600 as on 1.1.2006 in the pay scale of 6500-10500 has been indicated with which the pay scale of Rs.5000-8000 stands merged.

Taking these into account the pay in the Pay Band in the case of all employees in the Pay Scales of Rs.5000-8000 and Rs.5500-9000 has to be fixed at Rs. 6500 multiplied by 1.86 i.e. Rs.12090. The fixation tables for pay scales 5000-8000 and 5500-9000may therefore be modified fixing the pay in the pay band at Rs.12090 wherever it is less than that amount.

Illustration 4B in the explanatory memorandum to the Revised Pay Rules 2008 may be modified as under:-

The Staff Side pointed out that what has been recommended by the 6th CPC in Para 2.2.19(vii_ in respect of fixation of minimum pay in the Pay band for merged pay scales had not been taken into account while computing the pay band and the table.After some discussion, the official side stated to have a re-look into the matter.

Item No. 5(i)

On Revised Pay Rules. 2008

(i).Option

It has been mentioned under sub rule 4 thereof that the option once exercised shall be final and should be exercised within three months from the date of notification of the rule vide Sub rule I thereof. Since it is very difficult to comprehend and assess the implication of such option, we propose that the first option exercised within three months may not be treated as final and the employees be permitted to revise the option within six month of the date of exercising the first option.

Decision.

The official side has agreed to allow another option.The Side Side also pointed out during the discussion that the option exercised by the officials under F.R. 22(I)(A(1) on promotion has been restricted to only first promotion, which appears to be unreasonable.The official side has agreed to examine whether the above option can be allowed to cover all promotions.

Item No. 5(ii)

(ii). Special allowance and qualification pay which are taken for fixation purposes on promotion should be doubled with effect from 1.1.2006 and not from 1.9.2008 as it cannot be construed to be an allowance. If this is not done, senior employees will suffer loss in emoluments, in case of persons who are promoted during the period between 1.1.2006 and 1.9.2008.

It was pointed out that the item relating to 5th CPC is still pending at the Standing Committee.The Official Side stated that the item would be covered when a decision is taken on the item relating to 5th CPC.

Item No. 5(vi)

(vi) Rule 9. Date of next increment

It is seen after going through the stipulation in the above rules that a person whose increment falls on 1.1.2006 will get the increment on 1.1.2006 in the pre revised pay scale and will get the next increment in the revised pay structure on 1.7.2006 i.e. on expiry of six months. Similarly those, whose next increment is between 1st July, 2006 and 1st December, 2006 would also be granted next increment in the revised pay structure on 1.7.2006. On the other hand, the persons whose increment dates are between 1st Feb. 2006 and 1st June 2006 have to wait for more than 12 months to get the next increment on 1.7.2006. This is quite anomalous. In the case of those who retire during the period between 1st Feb. and 30th June, they will suffer a loss of one increment perpetually thus affecting their pension. It is, therefore proposed that the persons whose increment falls between 1st February and 1st June, 2006 may be given one increment on 1.1.2006 as a one time measure.

The official side agreed to issue orders to cover those in service between 1.1.2006 and 1.7.2006 as a one time measure.The Staff Side however, pointed out that they have made the suggestion for a one time measure on the specific understanding that Rule 9 of the Revised Pay Rules 2008 has no applicable in the fixation of increment date in future as in those cases, the Fundamental Rules will have the application.The Official side was of the opinion that the Revised Pay Rules will override the provisions of the Fundamental Rules.The Staff Side then contended that the increment of an official cannot be postponed except on award of a penalty afterinitiation of the disciplinary proceedings. The official side after some discussion agreed to reconsider the issue in the light of the contention made by the Staff Side.

ItemNo. 5(vii).

(vii).Tax deduction from salary:

Spread over of the arrears of salary is permissible under section 89 (a) of the I.T. Act.No tax will thus become payable by Group D employees on account of receipt of arrears eventually. Therefore, executive instructions may be issued not to deduct any tax from the arrears payment pertaining to the Group D employees. In respect of others, they may be allowed to exercise option to tax the arrears either on receipt basis or accrual basis.

Decision .

Since the arrears have all been paid after deduction of tax, this item was not pressed.

Item No. 5(vii)Temporary Status Casual Labourers

As per existing scheme the employees who are afforded temporary status are paid the wages computed with reference to the minimum of the corresponding scale of pay of regular employees. In the case of Group D temporary status employees, it will become necessary that they are afforded the requisite training if they are non- matriculates.

Decision.

Orders would be issued in the case of temporary status employees.In the case of those who died /retired between 1.1.06 and 1.9.2008 grant of grade pay of Rs. 1800 without training was raised by the Staff Side.It was agreed that the Govt. would take a decision in their casefavorably.

Item No. 6.

Benefit on promotion.

It is an accepted proposition that an employee when promoted to a higher post involving higher responsibility should get a suitable raise in his salary. It was on this consideration that FR 22-C was framed whereby the promotee was first granted an increment in the lower Pay Scale and then fixed at the appropriate (next) stage in the higher grade.

At the time of V CPC it was agreed that minimum increase in salary on promotion shall not be less then Rs.100/- There are certain grades in which, on promotion, a hike of Rs.650/- is being allowed with reference to pre-revised pay scale.

In these circumstances grant of only one increment in the lower Pay Band / Pay scale and difference in grade pay, if there be any, being granted on promotion is certainly inadequate. We therefore propose that minimum benefit on promotion should not be less than 10% of the Pay+Grade Pay of the feeder post.

Decision:

The official side stated that the above item was not covered under the definition of anomaly.However, after some discussion, it was agreed that the official side would further discuss the issue outside the forum of the Anomaly Committee.

Item No. 7.

Fixation of pay on promotion.

The minimum Entry pay with Grade Pay in the revised pay structure for direct recruits appointed on or after 1.1.2006 has been specific vide first Schedule, Part –A, Section II of the Gazette Notification of the Govt. of India, Ministry of Finance No. G.S.R. 622 (E) dated 29.8.2008.

On promotion, the pay of the promotees should not be less than the direct recruits.

In VI CPC structure there is no pay scale and new concept of grade pay has been inducted, which should determine the status.As such the following provisions need to be inserted below clarification 2.'The method of Fixation of Pay on promotion on or after 1.1.2006.

"on promotion to the higher grade pay of an employee should be fixed appropriately and in any case it should not be less than the entry Pay in the revised pay structure for direct recruits appointed on of after 1.1.2006 for the post." further, on promotion to the next higher grade pay an employee should be fixed by adding 10% of pay, plus the grade pay as demanded by NC/JCM in its memorandum submitted to the Chairman, NC/JCM/Cabinet secretary on 8.4.2008.

Decision.

The Official Side agreed to issue enabling orders in the matter.

Item No. 8.

Refixation of pension/family pension.

Para 9 of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension's O.M. No. F.No. 38/37/08-P&PW (A) dated 1.9.2008 states as under:-

"The consolidated pension / family pension as worked out in accordance with provisions of para 4.1 above shall be treated as final basic pension with effect from 1.1.2006 and shall qualify for grant of Dearness Relief sanctioned thereafter.".

This has left uncovered the provision made in para 4.2 of the same OM, which lays down as under:-

"The fixation of pension will be subject to the provision that the revised pension in no case, shall be lower than fifty present of the minimum of the pay in the pay band plus the grade pay corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale from which the pensioner had retired. In the case of HAG + and above scales, this will be fifty percent of the minimum of the revised pay scale."

Since refixation of pension has been allowed both under paras 4.1 and 4.2, they should both he covered in para 9 of the OM.It is requested that para 9 of the said OM may be revised including both paras 4.1 and 4.2 thereof.

Decision.

Orders have been issued vide O.M.dated 12th and 14th September, 2009

Item. No. 9.

Anomaly in pension for Government Servants who retired/Died in harness between 1.1.2006 and 1.9. 2006

The Sixth Central Pay Commission lays down inter-alia that once an employee renders the minimum pensionable service of 20 years, pension should be paid at 50% of the average emoluments received during the past 10 months or the pay last down, whichever is more beneficial to the retiring employee.

As per the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension O.M. F.No. 38/37/08-P&P(W)(A) dated 2nd September 2008, these orders shall come into force with effect from the date of issue of this OM, namely 2nd September 2008 and shall be, applicable to all Government Servants becoming entitled to pension after rendering the minimum qualifying service of 20 years or on completion of 10 years qualifying service in accordance with rule 49(2) of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972.

However, the Govt. servants who have retired on or after 1.1.2006 but before the date of issue of this OM (2.9.2008) have been debarred from this benefit. They will be governed by the rules/ orders which were in force immediately before coming into effect of these orders. In other words their pension will be calculated on average emoluments received during the last 10 months and not on the actual pay last drawn. It is requested that this discrimination should be removed.

Decision.

Orders are under issue.The Staff Side raised the inordinate delay in fixing the revised pension and disbursement of arrears to pensioners.The official side assured to monitor the payment of arrears to pensioners.The refusal on the part of many banks to issue the due and drawn statement even on requisition was also brought to the notice of the Chairman.The Director (Pension) assured that suitable instructions would be issued in this regard to all Banks.

Item No.10.

Commutation of pension.

The minimum period of service for eligibility for pension is 10 years. For appointment to Government Service the minimum age is 18 years. In view of this, if a person is appointed at the age of 18 years he cannot become eligible for pension unless he has served for a period of at least 10 years and attained the age of 28 years i.e. when his birthday falls in the 29th years.

The table adopted a per the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension's OM No. 38/37/08-P&PW (A) dated 2.9.2008 shows the minimum age of next birthday after retirement as 20 which is not understood. It is requested that suitable amendment to the table referred to may be notified.

The item was withdrawn by the Staff Side.

Item No.11 to 14. These items were deferred for discussion at the next meeting.

Item No.15.

Parity in pension of all pre 1996 retirees with those who retired on or after 1.1.2006

The Government have already accepted in principle that there shall be parity in pension amongst pensioners irrespective of the date from which they had retired.

Accordingly pension of all pre 1986 retirees was revised with effect from 1.1.96 by first determining the notional pay which would have been fixed as on 1.1.86 (treating as if the employees were in service on that date) and then the Notional Pension was updated by applying the same fitment formula which was applied to serving employees.

We, therefore demanded that the notional pay of all pre 1996 retirees may be fixed as on 1.1.96 in terms of Revised Pay Rules, 1996 and the notional pension as on 1.1.96 may be revised w.e.f. 1.1.06 by applying the same fitment formula which is applied in the case of serving employees i.e. by multiplying the notional pension as on 1.1.96 by 1.86 + the Grade Pay of the Pay Scale (V CPC) from which they would have retired.

The revision of pension has been done by applying the formula of Basic Pension as on 1.1.96 + Dearness Pension (50% of Basic Pension) + Dearness Relief on Basic Pension + Dearness Pension+40% of Basic Pension.

This is not the same that has been granted to serving employees. In whose case the Grade Pay which is the fitment benefit is 40% of the maximum of the Pre-revised Pay Scale.

As such the Pensioners should also be granted 50% the of Grade Pay of the Pay Scale from which they had retired by way of fitment benefit and not 40% of Basic Pension.

Decision.

The Staff Side pointed out that the 6th CPC in order to maintain the existing modified parity between the present and future retirees had indicated that it would be necessary to allow the same fitment benefit as is being recommended for the existing Government employees vide para 5.1.47 in page 338.However, the Commission recommended that all past pensioners should be allowed fitment benefit equal to 40% of the basic pension. The statement and the recommendation made to give effect to the statement was at variance giving rise to anomaly and disparity in pension entitlement between the past pensioners and the future pensioners.After detailed discussion, the official side agreed to consider the issue once again.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Staff Side took up the matter concerning non representation of Postal Federations in the National Council as some members of a Federation which could not muster even 5% membership had been approaching one court or the other in a bid to delay the verification process and consequent recognition of the Associations and Federations in the Postal Department.As it would be a never ending process,the denial for the unions who had mustered more than 75% of the membership representation in the National Council would be a miscarriage of justice, the Staff Side added..The Director (SR) of the Postal Department, who had represented the Postal Department in the official side agreed with the contention of the Staff Side and reported to the Chairman, that they had granted adhoc recognition to the Unions who had mustered the requisite membership and the Department Council had also been convened and met on adhoc basic.The question of granting of representation to the representatives of the Staff in the National Council had been referred to the Department of Personnel and their advice in the matter was being solicited.The Chairman assured the Staff Side to look into the matter and take appropriate decision soon.

The denial of revised higher Grade Pay to Master Craftsmen of Workshops in MMS in the Postal Department, while affording the same to those in Railways and Defence was also raised by the Staff Side.The Department of Expenditure pointed out that they had not received any reference from the Postal Department in this matter, whereas the official side representative of the Postal Department stated that they had referred this matter to them earlier.After some discussion, it was agreed that the Department of Expenditure and the Postal Department would sort out this matter expeditiously.

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